Lead isotope analysis of Bronze Age copper alloy objects from Deh Dumen graveyard, southwestern Iran

This research presents the lead isotopic composition of ten objects made of copper-tin alloy or arsenical copper that was recovered at the Bronze Age cemetery at Deh Dumen (southwestern Iran). Grave goods associated with different cultures in eastern Iran, Susa, or Luristan were identified at the site, and lead isotopic analyses were conducted to identify the copper sources used for the production of copper alloy objects found in multiple tombs. Comparison with data for ore sources shows that some of the objects have a signature that is compatible with that of the Iranian sources located in the Urumieh-Dokhtar and the Sanandaj-Sirjan. It also shows that three objects are compatible with the signature of objects found in the Gujarat and ore sources in the Aravalli-Delhi Belt deposits (Rajasthan and Gujarat) in India, demonstrating long-distance exchange between southwestern Iran and the Indus valley.